If you’re truly serious about making a difference in your golf experience, using a golf launch monitor is by far one of the best investments you can make.
This could be for configuring a home golf simulator, hitting the driving range, or even just satisfying curiosity about that swing, and finding the right launch monitor could suddenly change things up for you in golf.
The problem is there are so many options out there that it looks like it could be a lot difficult to know which is the right one. Let’s break it down.
Why Golf Launch Monitors Are a Must
Back when I was just beginning to research golf launch monitors, my head was spinning in confusion. After further investigation, it became clear these devices were the holy grail of behind-the-scenes magic for every ambitious golfer’s practice routine.
The monitor meticulously displays all the minute details of your swing that are just impossible to track manually: ball speed, club head speed, launch angle, spin rate, and so much more. This data is crucial to any golfer, be it a newbie or one who considers himself good and just wants to shave a few points off his handicap.
Understanding the Different Types of Launch Monitors
For the beginner golfer, all launch monitors will look the same. But in reality, there are two main types: photometric and Doppler radar technologies. Knowing the difference can help you choose the right one.
- Photometric Launch Monitors: These use high-speed cameras to snap shots of the ball immediately following impact. They’re excellent for indoor setups because they require very little space to measure the ball flight accurately. A photometric monitor, like the Foresight Sports GCQuad or something like the Uneekor Eye XO, would be your very best bet if you are pressed for space.
- Doppler Radar Launch Monitors: As they emit a radar signal that follows the flight of a ball, doppler radar launch monitors are most appropriate for outdoor use. Though they still require a little more space than photometric monitors, they excel in open-air environments. The Trackman iO and FlightScope Mevo Plus are prime examples of high accuracy in larger areas.
- Hybrid Launch Monitors: Some combine both technologies to provide hybrid capabilities—indoor and outdoor use. The SkyTrak Plus placed well in this category because as good as the photometric launch monitors are, there’s always that undisputed reliability of radar.
Best Launch Monitors for 2024
Let’s dive into some of the very best flight monitors you can buy in 2024. These picks will run the gamut on pricing and what you’re going to be using them for.
1. SkyTrak Plus
For those looking to build a home golf simulator, the SkyTrak Plus would be a front runner. It has so many offerings that it pairs even with chartbuster golf sim software such as E6 Connect and TGC 2019. It’s compact, sets up easily without much space, so it can be perfect for indoor use.
2. Trackman iO
If ultimate accuracy is at the top of your list and costs don’t matter, the Trackman iO is going to be pretty hard to beat. Used by a lot of professionals, it gives you incredible data points, including club path, face angle, and impact location. It’s perfect for somebody that wants to fine-tune every part of their swing, and the immense virtual course library just adds icing to the cake.
3. Foresight GCQuad
The Foresight GCQuad remains the launch monitor of choice for tour professionals and coaches the world over. With its state-of-the-art high-speed camera technology, it captures all the details concerning your swing and provides you with the most accurate data for both ball and club metrics. Simply put, this is a best-of-the-best solution if you’re really serious and want to take your game to another level.
Budget Launch Monitors
Not everyone can afford the thousands of dollars for a golf launch monitor, and fortunately, you do not have to. Here are some great options that cost a bit less.
1. Rapsodo MLM2PRO
The Rapsodo MLM2PRO, at under $1,000, is really a nice blend between price and performance. It is also portable and easy to use, giving all the data needed to bring your game to the next level, such as ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate.
2. FlightScope Mevo
If you’re working on more of a budget, the other great little launch monitor out there for under $500 is the FlightScope Mevo. Small, easily portable, and accurate enough for most amateur golfers, it tracks club head speed and ball speed, making it great for beginners.
Key Features
Some of the important features to focus on while choosing the Golf launch monitor are:
- Portability: This can be important in case of using the launch monitor in indoor and outdoor setups. In such a requirement, there are lightweight and portable units available, such as the Garmin Approach R10 and FlightScope Mevo Plus, which one can set up easily at any location.
- Data Points: More is better. Seek out models that will track beyond the basics of carry distance and total distance, which also mark advanced metrics like Smash Factor, Spin Axis, and Club Path.
- Software Compatibility: Golf simulation software has the power to take your practice to a whole other level. Ensure the monitor you are going with is compatible with leading software like FSX 2020, E6 Connect, or TGC 2019.
- Space Requirements: Space requirements will depend on whether you will do your setup indoors or outdoors. Photometric monitors require less space, while radar-based QS needs more room to effectively track the ball’s flight.
Pro Tips: Making the Most of Your Golf Launch Monitor
Now that you have identified the right launch monitor golf for your practice session, using it effectively is the next task. Below are a few ways to get the very best out of your device:
- Proper Environment Setup: Set up the launch monitor in a well-lit place, in the case of using photometric monitors, or a place with least interference for radar-based systems. This will help the monitor produce accurate readings.
- Regular Device Calibration: Calibration keeps the device in line with regard to accuracy. It is good practice to re-calibrate the launch monitor regularly if one frequently moves it between an indoor and outdoor setting.
- Normalize Analysis: One should not just look at the data as a standalone thing but should monitor how they evolve over time. Some metrics, like ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate, can possibly be of help in accumulating a pattern and finding areas to work on.
- Use Simulation Software: If your monitor has this capability, enter virtual playing fields and practice various scenarios. It would enable you to incorporate a play element in your training and focus on the implementation of what you have learned on a simulated playing field.
Final Thoughts: The Right Launch Monitor for You
The best golf launch monitor has to be chosen based on your personal needs and the budget set. Be it a novice drummer on a mission or an experienced golfer wanting to fine-tune every detail, the perfect launch monitor is out there.
Remember that making the data worthwhile is certainly not in the having—it’s in using them. Pick the right tool for your needs, use it consistently, and watch your game improve.
So, the best launch monitor for golf is the one that will fit your space, your budget, and your goals. Of course, whether you go top shelf to something like the Trackman iO or budget-friendly like the FlightScope Mevo, you’re investing to better data, better practice, and ultimately, better golf.
